Two dead after car hits garden wall and catches fire in Doncaster

Two people have died after the car they were travelling in crashed into a garden wall and burst into flames.

A third person, also thought to have been in the vehicle, is being treated in hospital for life-threatening injuries, police said.

The crash happened at around 12:50 BST on Poppyfields Way in Branton, Doncaster, South Yorkshire Police said.

The force added they were searching for two other occupants of the car who had fled the scene.

Officers believe the two men may also have been seriously injured.

The force said it remains unclear why the car crashed or if any other vehicles had been involved.

'Burning alive'

Michael Burton, 21, who lives in the house, had been working nearby when he heard a crash and ran home to find a burning car in the garden.

"My first thought was my girlfriend - is she alright, is she out of the house?"

Police said it was unclear what had caused the crash

Michael Burton's girlfriend was in the house at the time of the crash

"From what I heard, she actually saw the driver get out of the car, burning alive.

"He ran across the road to the lady across the road and she did a sterling job to help the guy.

"If it wasn't for her, he would have been another fatality."

Witnesses saw a large plume of smoke following the crash

Mr Burton, who moved the family cars to avoid the fire spreading, said he believed the crash could have been worse.

"Luckily, we had a rockery in the garden because, if that rockery hadn't been there, I've got a feeling that the car would have gone through the front of the house.

"If that had happened the car would have been on fire and the house would have gone up in flames."

Eyewitness John Beckham said the car "flipped across the main road and caught fire".

"There was a big, massive black cloud of smoke," he said.

"Next minute we know, we just ran down to see if everyone was okay, the occupants of the car were getting out and approaching us.

"Just really, really, bad. Terrible scene."

Bill Martin said: "I've lived here almost since the estate was built, 16 years. It is very sad when something like this happens.

"It is normally a very quiet road."

The road is expected to remain closed at the junction with Doncaster Road for some time.

At the scene: Andy Kershaw, BBC Radio Sheffield

Investigators are still combing through the scene of the collision, and you can see debris in the road from the vehicle involved.

There are also bricks scattered around, and the front wall around the property has collapsed.

The wreckage of the car, which burst into flames following the crash, has now been taken from the scene.